Leopard Teeth

Leopards have powerful jaws for killing and eating their prey. Their strong jaws contain 32 teeth, which can be categorized into three types – canine teeth, carnassial teeth, and incisors.

The four long and pointed teeth on either side of a leopard’s front teeth are canine teeth or fangs which are about 2 inches (5 centimeters) long. Canine teeth are used mainly for biting and piercing. Along with its claws, the leopard uses its strong jaws and sharp teeth to grab onto the neck or head of its prey and then snap the animal’s spine cord.

A leopard uses special molars along the sides of its jaws to eat its prey. These molars, called carnassial teeth, have extremely sharp edges and work like scissors to cut off pieces of meat as the leopard bites. A leopard swallows pieces of meat without chewing.

The small upper and lower front teeth are called incisors. The leopard’s incisors are used to rip off the prey’s fur, nibble small bits of meat from prey’s bones, and provide more gripping power for a leopard’s jaws.

Leopards usually try to stay away from their predators rather than confront them, but, if they cannot avoid a fight with these strong animals, they use their strong and sharp teeth and claws as weapons to inflict fatal damage on their enemies.